With Fire and Sword
Gelesen von LibriVox Volunteers
Henryk Sienkiewicz
In 1647, Poland is a land facing complete destruction with fire and sword. It may come from without, as the Tartar hordes swarm over the steppes, turning cities to ash and the Poles to slaves. It may come from within the country’s bounds, as the traitor Hmyelnitski leads the Cossacks in a devastating revolt. Or it may come simply because the nation’s leaders and nobility have become selfish, lazy, and complacent, and are ill-equipped to face the horrors coming their way.
If Poland is to survive, it will depend on the heroes who rise in her time of need. Yeremi Vishnovyetski, the warrior-prince who alone can lead his people to victory … if they are wise enough to accept his leadership. The diminutive soldier Michael Volodiyovski, ever unlucky at love, but never equaled as a swordsman. Longin Podbipyenta, the Lithuanian giant whose sacred vow to remain unmarried until he performs an impossible feat in battle is complicated when he falls madly in love. Pan Zagloba, Poland’s Falstaff, whose thirst for ale and penchant for self-preservation are exceeded only by his loyalty to his friends. But in the end, Poland’s fate will rest on the shoulders of the knight Jan Skshetuski, who must choose between the safety of his beloved Helena and his allegiance to prince and country.
With Fire and Sword is the first novel of Sienkiewicz’s epic “Trilogy”, but is a stand-alone story in its own right. (Introduction by D. Leeson) (29 hr 53 min)
Chapters
Bewertungen
outstanding reading of an epic book.
Stephen Lowe
masterpiece beautifully read. guaranteed to laugh and cry and shake your head in amazement. I think I was born in the wrong century and country. Listened for the second time after previous reading. if I get another dog, it will be named zagloba (sp).
The last few chapters were a different reader and I preferred the original reader ...
Amazing story
very nice reading amd a nice translation.
good amount of action, a little long
interesting book. takes a while to remember all the Russian names and keep them straight.